Closure for tanks



Dec. 27, `1932. 0, B, WELKER 1,892,297

cLosURE FOR TANKS Filed Jan. 1929 Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OSCAR B. WELKER, OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T THE WELKER-HOOPS MANUFACTURING COMANY, OF MIDDLETOWBR CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION QF CONNECTICUT CLOSURE FOR TANKS Application led January 2, 1929.

My invention relates to devices for closing the lling openings of tanks, radiators or other similar structures and more especially such as are used in connection with automobiies, and an object of my invention, among others, is the production of a device of this class that shall be simple in construction and particularly easy to operate for the purpose of removing from the mouth of the tank or a'Xing thereto.

One form of a closure embodying my invention, and in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others may be attained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which,-

Fig. 1 is a side view of a closure or cap embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in central vertical section of the same.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view.

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical central section through a slightly modified form of closure.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the latter form of closure.

Fig. 6 is a view in central vertical section through a cap embodying another modified form. of closure.

Vhile my improved closure, or cap, is illustrated and described herein, as embodied in a form more especially applicable to tanks or radiators, and specially used in connection with automobiles, yet it will be understood that caps embodying the invention may be readily applied to caps or closures for other sorts of receptacles. In the accompanying drawing the numeral 6 indicates the base of my improved cap or closure, that may be constructed of any suitable metal and formed to any desired shape. A ange 7, preferably circular, projects from the under surface of the base, this flange comprising a support for a spring 8 that is seated on a supporting ring 9, resting upon a lip 10, formed around the lower edge of the flange 7', and as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

The spring 8 is of spiral form and preferably smaller in diameter at its upper or inner end that lits within a recess in a clamping bar 11 that is seated against the base 6 within the flange 7 and has clamping ends 12, projecting Serial No. 329,819.

through slots 13 in said flange, which ends are adapted to engagea cam shaped holder at the mouth of the neck of a tank or radiator in a manner that will be readily under- A stocd, and for which reason a showing thereor is omitted herein. A gasket 14 surrounding the flange 7 and seated against the base may be employed as a packing element if desired.

In the form of the device shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the structure is much the same as that above described, with` the exception that means are provided for readily removing the spring 8 when desired. To this end a vsupport 15 is providedin the form of a disc having notches 16, spaced apart around its edge and with recesses 17 located at intervals between the notches. These notches and recesses are of a shape to receive tongues 18, projecting from the edge of the flange 7, and as shown in Figs. y4 and G of the drawing.

Inuse of thisstructure, the bar 11 with the spring seated therein is placed in position and the disc 15 is placed against the spring with the notches 16 opposite the tongues 18. The disc is pressed inwardly to pass the tongues through the notches and then is rotated to a position to seat the tongues in the recesses 17 and thereby lock the disc in place.

In that form of cap illustrated in Figure 6 the base 19 is preferably formed from sheet metal that is shaped to provide a flange or skirt 2O at the periphery and with a tubular hub 21 at the center. This hub has a bar 22 extending diametrically across the opening in thebottom and a lip v.28 is formed about the lower edge of the hub.

.A spring 8, as in the prior structures, rests upon said lip and bar with its upper end pressing against a clamping bar 11 with ends projecting outwardly through slots in the hub, as in the prior structures. A cap 24 of cup shape isforced into the open end of the base'19 to close the opening into the hub, the bar 11 resting against the lower edge of this cap. A gasket 14 maybe employed in this structure in the manner as hereinbefore Aset forth with respect to the other structures.

I claim:

1. A tank cap including a base, a support projecting downwardly therefrom and having a. marginal lip creating an open end in said support, a coiled spring of substantially conical shape upheld by said lip, and a clamping member having clamping ends projecting radially through said supportand having a recess within which the end of said spring is seated. l

2. A tank cap including a base, a support projecting downwardly therefrom and having a marginal lip integrally formed with said support by bending in its lower edge, thereby creating an open end in said support, a 'coiled spring of substantially conical shape upheld by said lip, and a clamping member having clamping ends projecting radially through said support and having a recess comprising a centering means within which the end of said spring is seated.

'3. A tank cap including a base, a support comprising a hub projecting downwardly from within the base, a lip in the lower end of said hub,a coiled spring of substantially conical shape seated on said lip, a clamping bar seated on said spring and having its ends projecting through slots in said support and having a recess forming a centering ymeans for said spring, and a cap having a iange projecting through and closely fitting the Opening in said hub to close a central opening in the base and secure said cap in place.

4. A tank cap including a base, asupport comprising a hub projecting downwardly from within the base and open at its lower end,a support extending across said opening, a coiled spring of substantially conical shape seated ony said support, and a clamping bar resting on said spring and having clamping ends projecting through openings in said hub and also having a recess comprising a centering means for said spring.

5. A tank cap including a base, a support i comprising a hub projecting downwardly from within the base and open at its lower end, a support removably attached to the lower end of said hub, a coiled spring of substantially conical shape seated on said support and a clamping bar resting on said spring and having clamping ends projecting through openings in said hub and also having a recess comprising a centering means for said Spring.

6. A tank cap including a base, a supporting flange extending downwardly from the base and open at its lower end and having slotsextending vertically therein, a support sustained by said flange, a helical spring nsertable through the opening in the lower end of thel iange with its larger end resting upon said support and its smaller inner end located adjacent the inner surface of said base, and a clamping bar having a recess'at its lengthwise center comprising a flat bottom to Laeaze receive the small end of the spring, and liar/- ing side walls located at an angle to said bottom to serve as a retainer for said spring, said bar projecting at its ends outwardly through said slots.

7. A closure comprising a cap body having hollow tubular means depending centrally thereof, said tubular means having at the outer end thereof a wall portion forming a spring bearing plate, a substantially rigid- OSCAR B. VELKER. 

